Huntsville Speedway Has Ended Their Late Model Class

[tas]

by Ronnie White
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Huntsville Speedway owner Martin Pierce has finally come up with a way to keep the Late Model Stock Car division this season.

Pierce revealed at the annual speedway banquet at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Saturday night that the Late Models will be returning but will be run as special events with other parties leasing the quarter-mile asphalt track several times during the season.

Because of the cost of the Late Model purse, Pierce considered dropping the high-dollar class until he worked out a leasing agreement with Moody Knight, John Henegar Sr., and Ben David Atkinson.

Knight and Henegar will lease the track for several special Late Model races, while Atkinson will hold five special Late Model races, along with the O'Reilly Super Truck Series.

"It's a win-win for the Late Model drivers," Pierce said. " Moody, John and Ben David can offer larger purses and draw more Late Model cars, and I can keep my regular racing program and keep the adult ticket at $10."

Knight and Henegar held a special race at the end of the season, drawing more than 20 cars. Atkinson, who ran the track before Pierce purchased it, is trying to expand his Super Truck Series and at the same time hold Late Model races.

Pierce will open the racing season on Saturday afternoons, beginning March 15. The following week, Atkinson has leased the track for a Easter Sunday event. The track will continue to race on Saturday afternoons until Knight and Henegar hold their first race on Sunday, April 13. The Speedway will return to Friday night races on April 18.



http://whowon.com/results.asp?trackid=50&storyid=238692